North began the year with a tie for 28th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Jan. 19 and a tie for 38th at the Phoenix Open one week later. He has gone two-rounds-and-out every tournament since.

Since 1985, North, 42, hasn't finished higher than 137th on the money list. This year he stands at No. 210 with a little less than $11,000.

(North's travails normally would attract little attention.) The Professional Golfers' Association Tour is full of players struggling to earn a living - some trying to establish themselves, others who have achieved success in the past.

North falls into the latter category, though his case has an asterisk. Two of his three career victories have been in the U.S. Open.

Since World War II, only six players have won at least two U.S. Opens: Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus, who won four each; and Curtis Strange, Hale Irwin and Billy Casper, with two apiece.

North has won one more Open, for instance, than Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Gary Player and Tom Kite. He has won two more than Greg Norman and Nick Faldo.

North's most recent Open victory, in 1985 at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Mich., gave him a 10-year tournament qualifying exemption. Friday, he didn't sound like a person who planned to play 25 times a year through 1995.

``I'm not going to put up with this much longer,'' he said.

(North's problems with his golf game aren't all his doing.) North has been plagued with ailments throughout his career and has undergone many operations.

In 1983, he had a bone spur removed from his right elbow. In October of '87, he had a knee operation. In '89, he had another knee operation and later had bone spurs removed from his neck. He then injured his shoulder, which shelved him for the rest of the year.

Last year he missed two months after undergoing four operations to remove skin cancers from his nose and left cheek. He needed plastic surgery to rebuild the left side of his nose. Yet he said he feels great and didn't blame his troubles on ailments.

North is among the top third of tour players in putting, but is in the bottom 5 percent in fairways and greens hit in regulation.

Thursday, he recovered from a 4-over-par 40 on the front nine with a 1-under 34 on the back nine. Friday, he had five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.

After finishing, he managed a weak smile as he greeted a few well-wishers.

``I don't particularly care to do this,'' he said, ``if I'm not playing well.''